Why the ding after take-off

[tangoecho]

I did a search so apologies if asked...

I notice on the A319/20/21 and so on, ding immediatly after take-off.
I'm sure it's when the landing gear is being retracted/extended.

Just wondered why the ding.

Cheers

Stu...

http://flightlevel350.com/Aircraft_A...-4633.html?s=y

Just found this video. You can hear the noisey landing gear retract straight after the ding.

[Smudger]

I don't fly Airbus but I guess that it is the flight deck crew signalling to the cabin crew that they can unstrap and begin their duties. It's a standard procedure which doesn't involve having to actually talk to the No. 1 which could be very time-consuming and inconvenient whilst flying the departure.

[fmgc]

It is the no smoking signs going off automatically when the gear is retracted.

Now it may be that the no-smoking signs stay on anyway (as programmed into the CIDS) but there is still the ding as the gear goes up.

[Dolley]

As cc on the A319 I can confirm the ding is connected to the retraction/extention of the gear. It happens at the same time as the exit sign stops/starts being illuminated. On descend it happens this way: landing gear goes down, about two seconds later 'ding' and exit signs illuminate. For cc it means now starts/stops the time of 'landing position'. And if the cabin is not secure yet, bloody hurry up! ;-)

For us to be released from our seats is a different 'ding' controlled by the flight deck, done with the seat belt sign and it only happens at the beginning of the flight not at the end.

[Dolley]

Originally Posted by fmgc

It is the no smoking signs going off automatically when the gear is retracted.

Now it may be that the no-smoking signs stay on anyway (as programmed into the CIDS) but there is still the ding as the gear goes up.

I can't imagine that pax would have been allowed to smoke that soon after take-off???
And that long into descend? Especially as we would have given our cabin secure minutes before the 'ding' if everything goes to plan...

[Getoutofmygalley]

Dolley is correct on this one!

[fmgc]

Perhaps,

But I speak the truth.

[fmgc]

FCOM Vol 1

Section 1.33.40 P1

(This section refers to the NO SMOKING sel switch in the AUTO position)

I quote:

NO SMOKING & EXIT signs come on when landing gear is extended and go off when landing gear is retracted. Low chime sounds (depends on the CIDS/CAM programming) when the lights go on or off.

[Dolley]

fmgc:

It's not that I don't believe you I'm just very surprised indeed.
Bloody senseless if you ask me.
But...as there is no smoking anyway, who cares?! :-)

[BOAC]

Boeing is built the same way - in 'AUTO', lap straps come on with flaps, and smokers with gear. It gave the Captain time to empty the old baccy from his pipe on finals.

[sir.pratt]

it's clearly explained in this video - at around the 1min 20 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arCITMfxvEc

[Dolley]

See, you can learn something new every day!

The day wasn't wasted after all :-)